royphotog

I have been setting up a craigslist buy of a mid-90s Rocky Mountain Sherpa, changed the handlebars to a riser and stem, from the original Quill because I got a new handlebar and I wanted to raise them little. When I removed the quill one I lost the brake cable holder, I needed to get a front cable hanger, so I went to my LBS and they had no idea what I was talking about, I had to explain it to them and they said all the new bikes were different, but I would have thought that they would be doing repairs on all kinds of bikes and would know what a cable hanger was. We're not talking about a bike made in the 1920s here. Anyways, I did get a bottle cage and a mirror and came home and ordered the cable hanger from Amazon.

shelbyfv

Hopefully you took the opportunity to get a fork mounted hanger.

veganbikes

I am guessing it probably wasn't the entire shop but possibly someone new to the industry. We all start somewhere. Granted if they talked to multiple people and nobody knew that is a problem but I doubt that is the case. Me I like these ones: https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/compon...-cable-hanger/

Andrew R Stewart 

Agreed that it takes some time in the trenches as well as a like of history before your timer to have an understanding of the range of bike stuff. I was drawn to patents long ago and still find "new" stuff that rides the coat tails of old designs. But this type of looking back to see ahead isn't what most people (and younger people specifically) are taught to value. Andy

cxwrench

As capable as the young guys at my shop are I'm guessing they wouldn't have a clue either. It takes some time to 'experience' all of the different things that exist in the cycling world. We have 3 'old' mechanics...we're all 57. We try to teach the young guys at every opportunity.
And yes, the Paul's hanger is a sweet piece for sure.

cpach

A mechanic with a couple of years of experience and who gives a **** will know what you're talking about. I'm not the youngest at 35, but sure I'll overhaul your 1950s Bendix Kickback hub.

Bob the Mech

I agree, there's things my father taught me after refusing to repair my bikes anymore when I was a kid, I'd bust things on a regular basis...'You ride um...you fix um'...May he rest in peace. Like most things in life, there's a learning curve. Knowledge is never complete, only expanded...

79pmooney

Just for the fun of it, I Duck Duck Go'd "fork cable hanger" First hit, a Textro at Modern Bikes. $17.99. OK. But the weight! 758 gms. Black or silver didn't matter. I could get one at Walmart for a couple of bucks less but same weight.

"Duck Duck Go'd" just doesn't have the ring of "Google'd". But then, maybe there is a Duck Duck God. If so I'd better be careful.

royphotog

Actually, one was a kid, so I can understand that, but the other appeared to have been around for a while. The shop has been there for years.

Darth Lefty 

I want to the ski shop looking for a rope to tie to the nose of my snowboard and they didn’t have those either

Bike Gremlin

For what it's worth: I've been riding bicycles for well over 3 decades now, and fixing them for nearly as long (since the early childhood). Still, by the name, I had no idea what that is (even though I'm quite familiar with most cycling terms even in English, which isn't my native).
After reading the explanation: sure, I've installed/replaced those, tuned canti brakes, but the term itself did leave me clueless.

For me it would be: cantilever brake housing ("cable") stop.
And I'd have to know if it's for threaded forks (to be mounted below the locknut), or for threadless ones / seatpost mount, or held by the seatpost pinch bolt/clamp.
Of course, seeing the bike would help with any recommendations. But still - just the term (name) - got me puzzled. Had to google it.

dsbrantjr

There is no way that a able hanger could weigh >1 1/2 pounds. Maybe 75.8 grams

Bob the Mech

Unless it was a tungsten billet with a few holes machined through it...bomb proof...

70sSanO

I think it really depends on the shop and what they focus on. Businesses can’t be all things to all people, so to stay viable they have to pick and choose. I imagine they could have ordered one, but not surprised that particular shop may not have one in stock, especially if the shop had not been in business for many years.

Go to a different shop and there might be one lying around in the back, especially if the shop had been in business for decades.

I know what the shops, that are still around, in our area focus on.

John

dedhed

Not having one wasn't his concern, not knowing what one was was the OP concern.

royphotog

I got this one

fietsbob

Only Owning a bike shop can you rise above minimum wage.. (but the hours you put in may not seem like it)
place got young guys to try to live on the wages, and has a lot of turnover, I expect..




...

70sSanO

Only a concern if it is the only shop around and the OP needs it. If not go to another shop.

Otherwise it is just issuing a complaint to people who will be sympathetic. None of us know the situation or the shop. Not going to pass judgment.

I’d be much more concerned if they screwed up something on my bike while working on it.

John

cpach

This is definitely not true in my experience; most mechanics I've encountered earned more than a legal minimum wage.
Now, mechanics that earned a sane, livable wage, on the other hand--that's another story. Minimum wage in most contexts is insanely low. Bike mechanics do tend to earn poorly given you need a pretty strong knowledge and experience base to be genuinely good. You can earn a lot more putting similar energy into other skilled trades. I like bikes, though. The Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association is pushing for the highest paid hourly mechanic in a shop to get at least 1/3 of the nominal labor rate, which for a common $60/hr rate would be $20.

ClydeClydeson

Cantilever brakes were standard until the mid nineties. After V brakes were introduced almost no bikes came with cantis, except for less common bikes like CX and touring, so it is not surprising that a LBS employee doesn't know what parts are required.

cxwrench

Seriously? I don't know anyone...anywhere...that works in a bike shop and makes that little. Kids at In an Out make more than min wage.

fietsbob

You are not in the South Eastern states..